Can't-Miss Taco Spots Around Washinton, D.C.

Rubbery tortillas and the thriving Venezuelan arepa scene have prevented Washington from being considered one of the world's great taco destinations.

But two new spots are out to bring masa to the masses.

Café Eagle: This sparsely decorated restaurant rolls excellent street tacos ($2.50). The formerly Ethiopian establishment went south of the border, and its replacement is filling puffy house-made corn tortillas with fat chunks of carnitas, diced tongue, ground chorizo and other well-seasoned fillings. The sweetly spicy chile-rubbed pulled barbacoa emerges with a slick of acidic tomatillo sauce. Each taco is served à la carte with onions, cilantro and grilled scallions. Go heavy on the red salsa, which uses ground guajillo chiles for a deep, smoky spice. 1414 9th St. NW (at P St.); 540-628-1914

Surfside Truck: Glover Park's beach-worthy taco shop hit the streets last week with a rotating selection of soft tacos featuring two tacos in grilled tortillas, along with red beans and rice. Pulled chicken simmers in hot adobo sauce for tinga tacos ($9). Grilled tilapia ($9) is tucked with corn-and-black-bean salsa into corn tortillas with lime crema. The truck specializes in lighter fillings for its tacos, but we anticipate crowds lining up for bowls of thick tortilla soup ($4) as the weather cools.

Editor's note: Café Eagle has closed.